Asus AI Mesh "Hybrid"

CapitalOne · 22 Jun 2023 at 13:08

Apologies if I am being an idiot in the first instance.

I have an Asus 3200RT with 1 SSID (2.4 & 5) which is the main router
I have an Asus ASUS RT-AC86U in AP mode with 2 SSIDs (1 2.4 and 1 5) connected with ethernet cable to the 3200RT

So thats 3 SSIDs, a blended, a 2.4 and a 5 (to deal with pesky 2.4ghz only devices)

These devices are at either end of the ground floor. Coverage is excellent except...

I have a deadspot between the house and the garage which has a ring camera that connects but the signal strength is not enough for the video feed.

* I do not want to move either of the existing devices or trhe camera!
* I only need to extend the 2.4ghz network from the AP if that makes any difference

Before I just go ahead and mess it up, can anyone recommed the best solution for this?

1 - By another AI Mesh device and AI mesh the 3?
- will this be able just to extend the 2 SSIDs from the AP?
- will I have to put all 3 devices on a mesh network or can I "isolate" this to just the AP?
- the 3rd device will have to have wireless backhaul
2 - Just buy some new kit you noob, the new wifi 6 devices will cover the deadspot!
3 - Just use an exender (I find these painful for some reason but that may just be me)

The area covered (house and garden with wifi devices) is 10000sqft approx if that helps, house is 50 years old and not made of Portland Stone or anything.

Many thanks in advance!

Dave85 · 22 Jun 2023 at 14:31

If it was me in that situation I would be going with a powerline AP assuming you have a plug socket near to both and dont want or cant run ethernet to said ap. Then limiting the power on the AP so it was just enough for the dead spot. Avoids having a wifi only repeater and sorts the ring camera out and they are usually cheap as chips.

CapitalOne · 23 Jun 2023 at 13:18

Thanks Dave.

So I tried an extender and there is obviosly a farady cage built into that wall because despite the signal being stronger it still wont do a live view. I may just wire up an antenna and place it on the outside wall I think that's all I have left!

Dave85 · 23 Jun 2023 at 13:58

I had a wall like that on an install once for a funnily enough a ring floodlight. Wonder if they just have crap antennas at this point. That's a good idea on an outdoor antenna if you have have an easy enough source. Are you fully invested in the ring ecosystem I assume so changing to diff camera provider is a no go.

CapitalOne · 23 Jun 2023 at 14:04

Dave85 said:
I had a wall like that on an install once for a funnily enough a ring floodlight. Wonder if they just have crap antennas at this point. That's a good idea on an outdoor antenna if you have have an easy enough source. Are you fully invested in the ring ecosystem I assume so changing to diff camera provider is a no go.

Yeah I think having 6 ring cameras is too much of a pain to migrate from for now. Plus the alarm. Outside antenna solution has worked for me before, I just need to know how long the wire can be to still be effective!